A Good Dog

By EMMA SPORLEDER

Boogie doesn’t see the hands covered in blue nitrile gloves that clutch steering wheels. He doesn’t notice the surgical masks that fog up glasses and muffle words. He doesn’t recoil after people cough or sneeze.

He doesn’t notice that people don’t hug or shake hands anymore. He doesn’t realize that bumping elbows is preferred but standing 6 feet apart is safest.

Boogie hasn’t received glares from people when he stands too close to them.

He doesn’t have to speak with essential workers through a plexiglass window on those rare occasions that he’s able to leave the house.

He isn’t under curfew or quarantine.

He doesn’t have to worry over the fact that toilet paper hasn’t been available for weeks, that bread shelves are bare, and people have resorted to making their own hand sanitizer.

Boogie knows that his owner is home and she has been for quite a while. Sometimes she takes him out to play fetch. Sometimes she tells him that she’s scared and worried about what will happen in the future.

He doesn’t reassure her; he can’t say much.

All he can do is comfort her and crawl in her lap. Boogie can be there for his owner during this uncertain time,

He can be a good dog.